During the Beresford vs Watters
dispute Mr Pack-Beresford took himself off to Bangor,
County Down to get married in August 1891.
Here is a report preserved in a
scrapbook in the PPP.
May 1891, Carlow Morning Post
A marriage has been arranged
between Mr Denis Pack-Beresford, of Fenagh House and
Alice, only daughter of Mr James A, Lyle of Portstewart
House, County Derry, and Glandore, County Antrim.
August 1891.
Fashionable Marriage in Bangor.
The marriage of Mr Denis Robert
Pack Beresford D.L., and Miss Alice Lyle was solemnised
recently in Bangor Parish Church in the presence of a
large and very fashionable congregation.
From an early hour the
inhabitants of Bangor were astir and preparations were
made to give the happy pair a very cordial welcome.
In the church the cunning hand
of the decorator had been at work, with the result that
the chancel presented an appearance of exceeding beauty.
The decorations which were executed by Lord and Lady
Clanmorris, assisted by the head gardener from Bangor
Castle.
As guests arrived and as each
carriage stopped before the gates the occupants were
cheered most heartily.
Amongst the first arrivals were
the Marquis of Dufferin and his party and the reception
accorded them was of a very flattering character.
Shortly after noon his Grace the
Lord Primate of all Ireland entered the church building
accompanied by the Very Rev the Dean of Down and the
Rev. Canon Lyle (uncle of the bride). The father of the
bride, with the bridegroom and his brother the best man,
Mr Arthur Pack-Beresford, R.A. shortly afterwards
arrived.
Amidst ringing cheers and joyous
peals the bride with her mother then approached the
church from Bangor Castle, the residence of the bride's
uncle.
The bride's gown was of ivory
satin duchesse, made in empire style, with flounces and
veil of very lovely old Brussels point lace belonging to
the bridegroom's mother; she wore a wreath of orange
blossoms and white heather, fastened with a diamond
spray necklace - one of the bridegroom's gifts - and an
old pearl necklace with diamond barrel clasp, an
heirloom in the Beresford family for generations.
The four bridesmaids were each
presented with a diamond and sapphire ring by the
bridegroom.
The bridal bouquet consisted of
a cascade posy, composed of white roses, lilies, and
heather.
The service which was fully
choral was then proceeded with.
At the conclusion of the
ceremony the hymn "O perfect love all human thought
transcending" was nicely rendered by the choir, and
Stainer's sevenfold "Amen" having been sung the bride
and groom accompanied by their wedding guests, left the
church and returned to Bangor Castle for the wedding
breakfast.
After the wedding breakfast, the
couple left for Glendore where the father of the bride
kindly placed the Fishing Lodge at their disposal for
the honeymoon, which over they proceeded to Fenagh House
Carlow their future residence.
Amongst the distinguished
company invited to the marriage ceremony were Mr. W.
Browne-Clayton (uncle of the bridegroom) and Mrs
Browne-Clayton of Browneshill House, Carlow.
The arrival of the happy couple
at Fenagh House after the honeymoon, was an event marked
with the greatest enthusiasm. The happy pair travelled
by the 1oc train from Dublin and arrived in Bagenalstown
about 4oc.
On their way from Bagenalstown
to Fenagh groups of people were assembled to wish them
welcome.
At Ballywilliam Cross they were
greeted by the Misses Stewart and a number of people who
expressed their feelings by the waving of handkerchiefs.
At the outskirts of the Home
Farm a large body of people were assembled, including
the tenantry, employees, and other residents of the
surrounding neighbourhood.
As the carriages approached the
crowd formed a barrier through which the horses could
not pass.
The horses were immediately
unyoked, and vociferous cheers were given for Mr and Mrs
Pack-Beresford.
The carriage was drawn by some
of the crowd for over a mile and as it passed beneath
the numerous flags, banners, and floral decorations
cheers were repeatedly given, while bonfires and tar
barrels blazed along the way.
A wreath of evergreens and a
motto were displayed at Mrs Thomas Jenkinson's gate and
further down was another opposite Mr George Parker's
residence bearing in large coloured letters "cead-mille-failthe".
Opposite Mr Finn's gate was a
wreath of laurels. The wreath in the farm yard was
extremely pretty and bore the motto "Welcome" was
creditable to the gardener Mr. Murphy.
The arrival at the house was the
occasion of general cheering, when Mr Beresford very
appropriately thanked all for the enthusiastic reception
accorded to his bride and himself.
Immediately after nightfall a
grand display of fireworks were set off on the grounds
by the steward, Mr Henderson, followed by the bonfire
which also lasted till midnight, when the tar barrels
also succumbed.
the We must not omit mentioning
that dancing was kept up with great spirit as long as
the tar barrel and bonfire afforded light to the merry
makers.
Mr and Mrs Beresford entertained
their employees to a sumptuous dinner, at which over
fifty sat down.
When the cloth was removed the
health of Mr and Mrs Beresford was proposed by the
steward, followed by the health of Queen ,Victoria, and
the young ladies and gentlemen of the Beresford family,
all of which were drank with enthusiasm. After dinner,
which was supplied by Mr McDonald, Bagenalstown, all
proceeded to the pleasure grounds in front of the house
where a variety of sports were held causing great
amusement.
When the sports were over and
prizes distributed by Mrs Pack-Beresford, the company
adjourned to the spacious barn in the farm yard, where
the servants ball was held.
Mr Denis and Mrs Beresford
(dressed in a white silk hand-painted dress) graced the
proceedings by opening the dance, gaily dancing the
Kitchen-Lancers, they were joined by the members of the
Beresford family, the general audience then joined in
and the dancing was kept up almost till dawn. The
intervals of rest were enlivened by humorous recitations
and songs contributed by the audience.
The barn was nicely decorated
with evergreens and the walls covered in flags. Nothing
was left undone to make the evening an enjoyable one and
all seemed to take advantage of the cordial welcome
extended.
The wedding presents were costly
and far too numerous to give a complete list of, and
included some splendid gifts from the families and
friends on both sides.
Amongst the presents were the
following from; Mrs J. Lyle, lapislazuli seal ring; Mr
Lyle, silver -backed brushes; Mrs Pack-Beresford, pearl
and diamond ring; Mrs Ward, opera glasses; Colonel
Thomas, magnifying glass; Mr John Watson, carriage
watch; Mr and Mrs W.E. Grogan, silver cigar lamp; Major
Alexander, lemon squeezer; Miss Burroughs and Miss A.
Fludder, copper breakfast heater; Right Honourable Ion
T. Hamilton, photo frame; Lady Victoria Hamilton,
mirror; Mrs B. Watson, hunting crop; Browne cousins at
Browneshill, silver mustard pot; house servants at
Fenagh, silver handled paper knife; Mr T. Peevers,
silver mounted hunting crop; Mr Hall-Dare, six silver
vases; Miss Watson, silver mounted pocket book; Mrs
Robert Watson, silver handled paper knife; Mr Hardy John
Eustace, silver tray; Mrs Gray, toby mug; Lady Anson,
silver mounted inkbottle; Major-General Sir Archibald
Anson, Japanese tray; Mrs Watts, lace handkerchief; Mrs
Brownrigg, Bible; Misses Toppy and Nellie Persse, silver
comb; Mr A. McClintock, silver mounted pocket book;
Fenagh House Cricket Club , clock; Sir C. and Lady
Burton, travelling clock; Mr and Mrs J McClintock
Bunbury , turquoise and diamond pin; Miss Evelyn
Hall-Dare, one dozen coffee cups and saucers; Mr and Mrs
Browne-Clayton, silver tea tray; Mr and Mrs Thorp, case
of silver sugar bowl and tongs, cream jug and six
spoons; Lord and Lady Rathdonnell, two silver mounted
liqueur decanters; Captain Torrens, Scots Grays, pearl
and diamond bangle; Mrs Hall, lace handkerchief; Sir
John Dickson, antique clock; Lady Pilkington, silver
mounted inkbottle; Canon Finlay, Beleek jardinière; Mr
and Mrs Bruen, tea table; Mr and Mrs Lecky, beer jug and
two tumblers; Mr and Mrs Farrer, screen; Miss C. Vessy,
pocket-book; Mr and Mrs Ponsonby, silver-mounted
blotter; Mr T.T.P. Purves, cheque; Honourable Mr
Bingham, guitar brooch; Honourable Ina Bingham,
photographs; Lady Pilkington, silver-mounted inkbottle
and pen tray. There are many more presents recorded, the
news article also states; The bridegroom's presents were
also very numerous.
No mention of a present from Mrs
Anne Watters!!!
The above is a true and
accurate transcript of the original document.
Transcribed by Jean Casey, January
2010.